I have a flight booked (£100) from Bristol to Barcelona, outbound March 24th, returning April 2nd. I also have parking booked for that period at Goblin Combe Farm (recommended btw, way cheaper than airport and friendly). I was intending to go on a cheap holiday to see a friend and stay with him. He lives there with his brother and her girlfriend, neither of whom I've met. He does odd jobs over there and hasn't had work for 6 weeks. He was offered work recently for the duration of my stay and obviously has to take it, but it's out of town and so I now have neither a friend to occupy me, or a place to stay.

After several frustrating and stressful days of searching the internet for cheap accommodation, I've come to the conclusion that I will just have to cut my losses and not go. Even at a noisy, crowded hostel (which would be fine for a long weekend, but not 9 nights) it's gonna cost me £200. With 10 days to fill, I estimate at least that again to eat and keep myself occupied, probably more. Consequently, what was a cheap holiday is now expensive and by myself.

Am I cutting my nose of to spite my face? If you were single and friendless, would you go? I'm thinking I should chalk it up, keep paying off my debt over the summer and then if I have an opportunity to go on holiday with (an)other person/people, I'll be more financially ready and the spending will be more justified. I love the idea of the city, but 9 days is just too long by myself. Thoughts?

I'm thinking of taking a break this year, by myself, maybe to Italy (which I love) or Cuba (never been before - old cars + sun + hot chicks + good cigars = win).
Is it possible for your friend to still give you access to his place for the duration? Have you explained the situation to him (I guess you have)?
If it were me, I'd leave a key with a trusted third party for your arrival.
I spent 7 days working in Italy ahead of the rest of my outfit once. I did have some local colleagues though, so I suppose I wasn't entirely alone.
I say go for it, have an adventure.

Sounds like the holiday would become an adventure. I would go, Barcelona should be able to keep you occupied for that amount of time.

I'd probably go, even just for the sake of not wasting my booked time off. If I stayed at home, would probably stay in bed until midday, go on the net until evening and then play COD until I sleep. Far more beneficial to see the world.

Wow, positivity. My mate lives with his brother and his brother's mrs. I didn't even know he had a brother as when I say "mate", I mean I met him at a bbq 2yrs ago. I'm getting the impression it wouldn't be appropriate for me to be there without him, which I can understand.

Were I just going for a long weekend, I would either put up with a hostel or find a hotel and have the adventure. With 9 days to fill however, it's an entirely different prospect. I'm an independent guy and perfectly capable of doing stuff by myself, but I've kinda got to the stage in life where I want to share things with people. Spending money to be by myself seems a little silly when I could stay here to do that for free. If I was debt free, I wouldn't be so worried.

Al, Cuba would be immense and if I was going there, I would be going to a resort - all inc probably. Then I could mix it up and do what I wanted. By myself that would be muy bueno. But I would be geared up for an expensive holiday and it would feel worth it. Barcelona isn't going anywhere and for two or more people it's reasonably money for a "city break", but 9 nights??!

Could you not even go out there, stay at your mates house for even a couple of nights, find somewhere else to stay for the remainder of a week and then catch an earlier flight back?
If you really don't want to go (and it does sound like you're convincing yourself that you don't) then eBay the flight tickets?

Mark

Tickets are non-transferrable and he hasn't offered for me to stay at all. I don't really feel that I could press it, as I don't know him that well. Believe me, if I could change the flights for a shorter stay - I'd go. I just would like to think that maybe after the summer (bearing in mind I work at a holiday resort!!) or next year, I could plan a trip that I had funds for and somebody else wanted to share. Spending even £400 now is just not an option. I don't have it.

Crap man. Tough break. (8+(

Mark